Yesterday Ed Davey gave a really open and moving interview to Radio 5 live about how he was a young carer to his mother for 3 years before she died when he was 15. His dad had died when he was 4. He talked about the key moment of his life, coming a few months after his Mum died, realising that he was doing things for himself and not her any more.
He said that it has affected his attitude to politics – caring for the most vulnerable is what politics should be about, he said.
He said it informed the way he thought about other people and about the health service and the importance of helping each other. Curries from the Indian family across the road gave him and his family practical help during that time. Watch here.
* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
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4 Comments
This is an amazing interview which only takes a few minutes to watch.
Very moving and it makes you think how lucky some of us are. The fact that Ed managed to complete his schooling and go on to further achievements speaks volumes for the man.
From my contacts at Nottingham High school, I gather Ed is very well regarded – as are his fellow Nottinghamian former Cabinet Ministers Ken Clarke and Ed Balls. At that rate they are on the way to catching up with Eton.
As others have said, and extremely moving interview.
I wish more people who have achieved so much with their lives would speak up about the experiences they have had, demonstrating the strength of character that enabled them to use these experiences in a positive way, seeking to improve the lives of others.
Vulnerability is a a human trait, how it is manifested that gives one the measure of the person.
Ed Davey deserves a medal for demonstrating how vulnerability and painful experiences can strengthen not weaken the human spirit. It is an important lesson for us all.